Crime
Incident in Lee County Raises Concerns Over Handling of Assault on Teenage Girls
According to Barrett, officials told her that the girls “chose to jump out of the golf cart,” implying that the boy cannot be held responsible for their injuries.
Lee County, Florida — A traumatic incident involving a group of teenage girls in Lee County has left one girl hospitalized with severe injuries and another with a broken foot, sparking outrage over the response by authorities and emergency medical personnel.
According to Ambree Barrett, who reached out to Channel2 NOW to share her account, her daughter and her daughter’s best friend were driving a golf cart near their community, as they often do. The girls were accompanied by a friend, who brought along another individual they didn’t know well. Allegedly, this individual had been having ongoing issues with a boy who had been terrorizing her in the Babcock Ranch area.
The boy, upon seeing the girl on the golf cart, reportedly pursued the group in his car. During the chase, he lit a firework and threw it into the moving golf cart. The girls, fearing for their safety, jumped out of the vehicle to avoid being injured.
One of the girls, Kaia, sustained multiple fractures to her skull, a brain bleed, and a burn mark on her back from the firework. She remains in the trauma unit, suffering from a traumatic brain injury and significant pain. Her friend, who was driving the golf cart, suffered a broken foot, along with scratches and bruises. She has since been hospitalized twice due to seizures related to her injuries.
Adding to the family’s distress, Barrett shared that her daughter has cystic fibrosis, a condition that has been exacerbated by the physical and emotional toll of the incident.
Barrett alleges that when emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and firefighters arrived on the scene, they dismissed the severity of the girls’ injuries. She stated that EMTs told the girls they were “fine” and to find their own transportation to the hospital.
“I was on video chat with my daughter, and I could hear her screaming in pain while holding her head,” Barrett said. Despite this, EMTs reportedly told her daughter and her friend to walk, even though the friend had a broken foot.
The girls’ parents eventually transported them to the hospital, where Kaia was immediately transferred via ambulance, with lights and sirens, to a trauma center.
The boy accused of throwing the firework has been identified by multiple community members as Matthew Lopez, Gavin Wolf and Aiden Giordana, but Barrett claims that Lee County authorities have stated they cannot press charges.
According to Barrett, officials told her that the girls “chose to jump out of the golf cart,” implying that the boy cannot be held responsible for their injuries.
Barrett further alleges that the boy and his associates have a history of criminal behavior, including stealing cars, fighting law enforcement, and harassing young girls. She has received messages from other parents recounting their own negative experiences with the boy but notes that many are afraid to speak out due to fears of retaliation.
Barrett expressed frustration and disbelief over the lack of accountability and the handling of the situation. “How can these boys continue to terrorize the neighborhood simply because they are minors?” she questioned.
She also highlighted the disparity between the kindness and rule-abiding nature of her daughter and her friend compared to the violent behavior of the accused. “My daughter doesn’t bother anyone. She naturally follows the rules and respects everyone around her,” Barrett said.
Barrett is calling on Lee County officials to reevaluate the case and take appropriate legal action against those responsible. She also urges improvements in emergency medical response protocols to ensure that victims receive immediate and adequate care in similar situations.
For now, Kaia’s family is focused on her recovery while navigating the uncertainty and potential long-term effects of her injuries. The case, which has drawn significant community attention, remains a sobering reminder of the need for accountability and justice in protecting vulnerable individuals.
If you have information about this incident, you are encouraged to contact Lee County authorities and reference case #24-660516. Community members are also urged to report any incidents of harassment or violence to help prevent future occurrences.
Crime
Stephen McKenzie Identified as Suspect in Pembroke Park Shooting That Left Mother and Three Children Dead
PEMBROKE PARK, FL – Authorities have identified the suspect in a horrific mass shooting at a Pembroke Park apartment complex as 34-year-old Stephen McKenzie, the father of two of the youngest victims.
The shooting, which occurred on Wednesday evening, claimed the lives of a mother and three of her children.
At approximately 7:30 p.m., Pembroke Park Police and Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) deputies responded to reports of gunfire at an apartment complex located in the 3100 block of Hallandale Beach Boulevard.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a woman and three children fatally shot inside the residence.
The victims were identified as:
- Julie Cruz, 32 (mother)
- Xion Solomon, 11
- Nova McKenzie, 2
- Emery McKenzie, 2
Both Nova and Emery were McKenzie’s biological children, authorities confirmed.
Additionally, first responders found 8-year-old Phiinyx Solomon suffering from gunshot wounds.
She was immediately transported to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, where she remains in serious condition.
McKenzie was also located at the scene with a self-inflicted gunshot wound following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, according to investigators.
He was transported to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital in critical condition and is currently in police custody.
During a press briefing, BSO spokesperson Claudinne Caro confirmed that McKenzie has been identified as the primary suspect in the shooting.
“Upon arrival, officers found a woman and three children inside the apartment, all of whom were pronounced deceased from gunshot wounds. Another child and an adult male were also found injured. That male has now been identified as the suspect,” Caro stated.
The children’s grandmother arrived at the scene shortly after authorities notified her of the tragedy, collapsing into tears as she grieved the loss of her daughter and grandchildren.
“That’s my daughter! That’s my daughter!” she wailed in agony, as bystanders and neighbors attempted to console her.
Authorities have not yet released details regarding the motive behind the attack, but neighbors and community members are left shocked and devastated by the brutal act of domestic violence.
“I just don’t understand what could lead someone to do something so terrible,” said one neighbor.
McKenzie remains hospitalized under police watch as the BSO Homicide Unit continues its investigation.
Officials urge anyone with additional information to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.